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“Pathetic�? Travis Kelce faces backlash from Swifties over podcast survey, accused of clout-chasing Taylor Swift

“Pathetic�? Travis Kelce faces backlash from Swifties over podcast survey, accused of clout-chasing Taylor Swift

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Apr 12, 2025, 19:46 IST

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Travis Kelce's podcast, New Heights, faces criticism after a listener survey included Taylor Swift references, sparking backlash from her fans. Swifties accused the podcast of leveraging her name for marketing, highlighting tensions between fame and privacy. The incident raises questions about using a high-profile relationship for content, even with existing fan interest.

“Pathetic�? Travis Kelce faces backlash from Swifties over podcast survey, accused of clout-chasing Taylor Swift

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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has found himself at the center of controversy—not for something he said, but for what fans think he and his podcast team might be implying. A listener questionnaire tied to his hit show New Heights, which he co-hosts with his brother Jason Kelce, has drawn sharp criticism from Taylor Swift’s fanbase, who believe the show is veering too far into her territory.

Podcast survey stirs up controversy with Taylor Swift references

The Kelce brothers' New Heights podcast has enjoyed sky rocketing popularity over the past year. While much of that success is thanks to their NFL credentials and brotherly banter, the show has also benefited from Travis’s high-profile relationship with global pop icon Taylor Swift. But a recent listener survey—distributed by podcast network Wondery—has made some fans feel uncomfortable with how that relationship is being used.
The survey featured response options directly referencing Swift, such as: "I was drawn to the prospect of hearing details and clues about Taylor Swift's life and her relationship with Travis," and "I like feeling like a part of the community that supports Taylor's happiness outside of her music." These choices struck a nerve with many Swifties, who accused the podcast of using her name for marketing gain.

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Fan backlash highlights tensions between fame and privacy

Taylor Swift’s fans didn’t hold back online. Some labeled the survey “gross,�?“pathetic,�?and “embarrassing.�?One user asked pointedly, “Why did you let Wondery ask about Taylor in relation to your podcast?�?The criticism quickly snowballed, with others accusing Kelce and his team of “clout-chasing�?and relying too heavily on Swift-related content to boost the show’s visibility.
Though Travis Kelce has previously spoken respectfully about Swift and organically shared moments from their relationship on the podcast, this overt data-gathering move appeared to cross an unspoken boundary.
Neither Kelce nor Wondery has commented publicly on the backlash, but the uproar highlights a tricky balancing act: navigating fame while maintaining personal boundaries. With Taylor Swift’s fan base being one of the most passionate and protective in the world, even small missteps can trigger major reactions.
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As New Heights continues to grow, this incident serves as a reminder that not every aspect of a public relationship needs to be leveraged for clicks—even if fans are already listening.

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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